Automatic hose shearing and stripping apparatus



March 4-, 1941. R. o. HUFFMAN ETAL AUTOMATIC HOSE SHEARING AND STRIPPING APPARATUS Filed June 3, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 1 m D mmmm mmm w F UHH mwF R mg o m an a nm h I. B 2 @1 m. a. N Q2 q 2 r N. m 3 mm :12. .2 m. Na mm mm owzwmmm whm 2.. F m. ow I l' l om m9 fi mw m w\ w 2 if? a 3 ON. K. 8 MJ/ QM mm attorneys March 4, 1941. o, HUFFMAN 2,233,451

AUTOMATIC HOSE SHEARING AND STRIPPING APPARATUS POBER-T O. HUFFMAN a GALEs W- SHUFORD BE gI-T Cmwsns Inventor;

March 1941- R. o. HUFFMAN ETAL 2,233,451

I AUTOMATIC HOSE snmnme AND STRIPPING APPARATUS Filed June 5, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ROBERT O. HUFFMAN a 6,qLEs W. 5HUFOED EEELER W CH/LDEES Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC HosE' SHEARING AND STRIPPING APPARATUS 11 Claims. (o'1.' 26-4) This invention relates to a shearing machine and moreespecially to means for shearing loose ends of threads on hosiery and the like.

It is a well known fact that during the knitting of seamless hosiery, many loose and floated ends of the yarn are formed on the inside of the hose, as a result of reinforcing threads beingknitted in for portions of courses, or by mock-wrapping and like operations. These ends must be sheared so as to provide a relatively smooth interior surface which will not cause discomfort to the wearer. Heretofore, it has been the practice to shear these ends manually, thereby necessitating the placing of each hose on a form and then using a pair of shears orclippers to remove the loose and floated-ends. This procedure has been found to be unsatisfactory, both as to uniformity of work produced, and as to the output of the number of hose sheared. Float threads are usually severed intermediate the ends of the floated portion before the stockings are placed on the forms for a shearing operation.

'It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a plurality of rotating hosiery forms for successively passing between opposed shearing elements, which elements will simultaneously' shear the loose ends from the opposed sides of the hose on the forms. This type of mechanical structure insures a better and more uniform shearing and also obtains a much larger output.

"It is a further object of this invention'to provide a rotary shearing mechanism of the class described in combination with an improved automatic stripping mechanism for removing the hose from each form after the shearing has been accomplished.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved shearing and stripping apparatus;

Figure 2 is an elevation looking at the.righta hand end of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view looking at the left hand end of Figure 1, showing certain portions thereof in elevation and other portions in section;

Figure 4A is a plan view through a clipper and taken along line 4A--4A in Figure 4, a portion of only one clipper being shown; 4

Figure 5 is a sectional plan view taken along the line '55 in Figure l;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional detail view taken along the lines 6-6 in Figures 1 and 5;

Figure 7 is an enlarged View of the clamping 5 means shown in. the lower portion of Figure2, but showing a hose engaged by the clamp after being removed. from a form or support.

Referring morespecifically to the drawings, the numeral l0 denotes a framework having 10 tables ll and I2, the table llbeing at a lower elevation than thetable l2. Mounted upon the table I2 are suitable bearings HIv and I5 in which is 'ro-tatably mounted a shaftl6. The intermediate portion' of shaft- 16 has fixedly mounted l5 thereon a plate casting H, and the outer periphery of this casting is adapted to. support, at spaced points, suitable arcuate forms. l8. These forms have a relatively thin depth as compared to their Width. The outer periphery of 20 each form is adapted to follow in the same circumferential path when in operation.

The shaft l6 also has a worm gear 26 fixedly mounted thereon, which gear is adapted to be housed in the upper portion of bearing I4 (Figure 1). The lower portion of the worm gear 2|!v is adapted to mesh with a worm 2| on shaft '22 which is likewise rotatably mounted in the bearing M. The projecting end of shaft 22 has a pulley 23 fixedthereon upon which a belt 24 is mounted, said belt 24 being also mounted upon" a pul1ey25 on shaft 26 which is disposed below the table II. Shaft 26 also has a larger pulley 28 mounted on its other end upon which a belt 29 is'mounted and this belt is also mounted upon motor pulley 30 which, in turn, is secured onmotor shaft 3i of motor 32. It is therefore seen that the plate casting I! and the forms iii are driven at the desired speed by virtue of the parts designated by the reference characters 26 to 32 inclusive.

By observing Figures 2, 4 and 5, it is seen that the forms l8 are relatively thin as compared to Width. This type of construction permitsa stocking or hose 33 to be placed thereon, and whenthe hose is properly positioned practically the entire surface of the hose will be disposed either on one face of the form or on the other. Usually it is the practice t-o'turn the hose inside-out and then insert it on a form so that the loose ends and float threads which have been produced during the knitting operation will be properly exposed for shearing purposes.

In order to properly shear these loose ends or loose threads from -the-hose after it hasbeen .M, .i I

placed on the form, it is necessary to provide suitable clippers adjacent the path traveled by the opposed faces of the form. These clippers are preferably mounted in a stationary position so that the clipping blades will engage the loose ends and shear them as the forms rotate. The clippers used for this purpose are designated by the reference character 48, each clipper being secured in a bracket 4| by means of a set screw 42. The clippers are of a conventional structure, preferably of the type shown in Figure 2 of the patent to Kitzmiller, No. 2,113,112 of April 5, 1938. Although any type, of clipping apparatus may be employed which will properly sever the loose ends as they-pass thereby.

The clippers 40 have a shearing mechanism 44 associated therewith, said shearing mechanism being operated by means of a lever 45 which is pivoted as at 46 on the interior of the clipper housing (Figure 4). The upper end of the lever 45 is oscillated about the pivot 46 by means of an eccentric 41 which is disposed on the upper end of drive shaft 48, said drive shaft having its lower 'end connected to a flexible drive 49, which in turn has its lower end driven by a suitable motor 50.

ing connected to a suction fan 51. It is therefore seen that both sides of the hose 33 on the forms l8 are simultaneously shared by the clippers 46 as they pass therebetween in the manner shown in Figure 4, and that the ends are removed as sheared by a suction mechanism.

A pair of opposed brushes 68 and 6| are adapted to be located on opposite sides of the hosiery forms at a point in advance of the clippers 4|). These brushes are employed to hold the stocking on the form as it moves downwardly toward the clippers 48. The brushes 68 and 6| are mounted upon extension 62 and 63, which .in turn are mounted upon the upper end of b-rackets or rods 64 and 65 respectively.

Also supported on the upper ends of supports 64 and 65, and disposed adjacent the opposed sides of the forms 18 are suitable rollers 68 and 69, these rollers being identical in construction and being mounted in the forked end ofsuitable members 70, which are adjustably secured in the upper ends of the supports 64 and 65 by means of set screws When it is desired to move the rollers 68 and 69 into closer contact with the opposed sides of the form l8, it is only necessary to manipulate the set screws TI. and adjust the members 18 accordingly. The rollers 68 and 69 serve to stabilize the forms to insure that they will :be held in the proper position while the shearing by the clippers is being effected. Supports 64 and 65 are adjustably mounted in the brackets 4| therebelow by means of set screws 72. I

Automatic stripping mechanism After the hose have been sheared by the clippers, it is very desirable that some means be ememployed in placing hose upon the forms |8. Byv

observing Figures 1, 3 and 5 it is seen; that the upper end of a bracket 13 has a cantilevered frame 14 pivoted thereto as at 16. The free end of frame 14 has a depending structure 11, which has pivoted thereto as at 18, a vertically disposed bar 19. The upper end of the bar 19 is adapted to penetrate a slot 88 in the extreme right hand free end of framework 14.

The lower end of bar 19 has an inverted U- shaped dog 8| pivoted thereto as at 82, one leg of this dog having a suitable cushion or pad 83 on its lower end which is adapted to engage the hose on the form. Disposed on the opposite side of the form is a similar cushion member 84 which is secured to the lower end of bar 19. A spring '85 normally tends to rotate the dog 8| in. a clockwise manner in Figure 2 to thereby clamp the hose While on the form between the cushion members 83 and 84. It is to be understood that when the bar 19 is in lowermost position as shown in Figures 1 and 2, that it is necessary for the cushion members to be spread apart sufficiently to allow the hose and the form to pass therebetween. This is accomplished by providing a suitable stationary bracket .86 having a cam surface 87 on its upper side to be engaged by the left hand cam surface 8|a of the dog 8|. When the bar 19 and dog 8| are in lowermostposition as shown in Figure 2 this is suflicient space between pads 83 and 84 to allow; the hose and form to center. When the bar 19 and the associated framework 14 are moved upwardly, a slight amount by the mechanism hereinafter to be described, the spring will rotate the dog 8| in a clockwise manner (Figure 2) tocausethehose on the form to be engaged.

The lower portion of the framework 14 has cam roller 88 rotatably mounted therein at a point adjacent the pivot point 16. This roller normally rests on top of a suitable cam 89 which is fixedly secured upon acam shaft 98 mounted for rotation in the bracket 13. The-otherend of the shaft 98 has a beveled gear 9| fixedly secured thereon which meshes With a beveled gear 92 on shaft 93. The shaft 93 is rotatablymounted in bearing member l4 and bracket 13. -The right hand end of the shaft has a beveled pinion95l fixedly mounted thereon which meshes with a larger pinion 96 on shaft l6. It is necessary that the pinion 96 be approximately four times as large as the pinion 95 in the present instance so. that the cam 89 will make four revolutions each time from the lowside to the highside' of theea the dog 8| in Figure 2' is moved-to clamping posi tion with thehose 33 on the form 18 byifmeans of spring 85, and then 'as' the dog, together. with the engaged hose moves upwardly along with the framework the hose will be removed from the form in the manner shown in Figure 3; This gripping action is made possible due to the fact that the framework 14 is caused'to move approximately four times as fastlasthe form from which the hose is stripped. j v

It isnecessary that meansbe' provided forre leasing the stripped hose from the dog 8| after it is movedto the position shown 'in Figure 2. This mechanism comprises; a cord 98; which is secured as at 99 to-one' leg of the: dog 8|. The cord 98 passes from point 99 over a small roller end thereof will be.

' tion of the upper end of the bar 19.

I and then upwardly over another roller IOI which is rotatably mounted in the depending structure 11. The upper end of the cord is secured to the lower end of a lever I02 which is fixedly secured upon ashaft I03. The shaft I03 is rotatably mounted in the framework I4 and has fixedly mounted thereon another lever I04 having a roller I05 on its lower end. When the' framework "i l and its associated parts are raised to the position shown in Figure 3, the roller I05 is adapted to be engaged by a side cam I06, which forms an integral part of the cam 89 previously described. As the cam rides beneath the roller I05, the shaft I03 is rotated in a clockwise manner in Figure 2, thereby causing the dog 8I to rotate in the same directionto release the hose from between the cushion clamping members 83 and 84.

As the shaft 90 and cam 89 continue to rotate in a counterclockwise manner (Figures 1 and 3) the framework 14 with its associated parts is lowered again to the position shown in Figure 1, at which time the dog 8I will be opened sufficiently to receive the next succeeding form with a hose thereon.

The shaft 90 also has a cam IIO mounted thereon which is engaged by a roller III on the lower end of a lever II2, said lever II2 being pivoted as at II4 to the framework I4. The upper end of the lever II2 has one end of a horizontally disposed bar II5 secured thereto and the other end of this bar is pivoted to the upper end of lever I9 previously described. It is desirable that the lever I9 be held in a substantially ver tical position when it receives the hose from the form; whereas as the framework I4 is rotated in a counterclockwise manner about pivot I6 the lower end of the bar I9 together with the dog 8| should not deviate very far from the normal path of travel of the hose forms; consequently, it is necessary to provide a slot 80 for the recep- The cam I I0 is also provided to position this bar properly as it moves downwardly subsequent to the release of the stripped hose. Of course, immediately after the bar I9 is moved upwardly the roller III leaves the cam IIO thereby allowing a suitable spring I I6 to rotate the bar I9 a slight amount in a clockwise manner (Figures 1 and 3) to cause the upper end thereof to engage the right hand portion of the slot 80 in the manner shown in Figure 3. However, as the framework moves downwardly, the cam IIO will engage the roller III to restore the bar I9 to a position which is substantially at right angles to the framework I4 and in this position it will be held until the hose on the form is engaged and partially removed.

Particular attention is called to the fact that the pivot point I6 and the cam shaft 90 are shown slightly inclined (see Figure 6). This inclination is necessary so that the dog SI and the lower end of the bar I9 will be moved laterally out of the path of travel of the preceding form I8 when a stripping action is effected. It is, therefore, seen that a shearing and stripping mechanism has been provided which will allow hose to be mounted upon rotary forms and successively sheared and stripped therefrom in a very effective manner.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation,

the scope of the invention being set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for shearing loose ends from hosiery and the like, comprising a plurality of trav- El elling forms, each adapted to receive a hose, and a stationary shearing device disposed adjacent the path of travel of said forms for shearing the ends'projecting from the hose.

2. Apparatus for shearing loose ends from hosiery and the like, comprising a plurality of travelling board forms, each adapted to receive a hose and a stationary shearing device disposed on each side .of the path of travel of said form for shearing the projecting ends from the hose.

3. Apparatus for shearing loose ends from hosieryv and the like, comprising a plurality of travelling forms, each adapted to receive a hose, a stationary shearing device disposed adjacent the path of travel of said forms for shearing the ends projecting from the hose, and means for removing each hose from its respective form subsequent to its being sheared.

4. Apparatus for shearing loose ends from hesiery and the like, comprising a plurality of travelling board forms, each adapted to receive a hose, a stationary shearing device disposed on each side of the path of travel of said forms for shearing the projecting ends from the hose, and means for removing each hose from its respective form subsequent to its being sheared.

5. Shearing mechanism comprising a travelling support for the article to be sheared having its broader faces in planes normal to its axis of rotation, means for advancing the same in the direction of its length, shearing means comprising a stationary clipper located on each side of the path of said travelling support and adaptedto shear projecting ends from the surface of the article on the form.

6. Shearing mechanism comprising an arcuate support for the article to be sheared having its broader faces in substantially vertical planes and being mounted for rotation in a circular path in the direction of its length, means for rotating the same, a pivoted stripping device adapted toengage the article on the support during a portion of its travel, and means for rotating said stripping device and engaged article about its pivot at a relatively greater speed than that of said support.

7. Shearing mechanism comprising a travelling support for the article to be sheared having its broader faces in vertical planes normal to its axis of rotation, means for advancing the same in the direction of its length, shearing means comprising a stationary clipper located on each side of the path of said travelling support and adapted to shear projecting ends from the surface of the fabric on the form, a pivoted stripping device adapted to engage the article on the support during a portion of its travel, and means for rotating said stripping device and engaged article about its pivot at a relatively greater speed than that of said support.

8. Shearing mechanism comprising an arcuate support for the article to be sheared, having its broader faces in substantially vertical planes and being mounted for rotation in a circular path in the direction of its length, means for rotating the same, a pivoted stripping device adapted to engage the article on the support during a portion of its travel, means for rotating said stripping device and engaged article about its pivot at a relatively greater speed than that of said support, and means for releasing said engaged hose from the stripping device after removal.

9. Shearing mechanism comprising a travelling support for the article to be sheared having its broader faces in vertical planes normal to its axis of rotation, means for advancing the same in the direction of its length, shearing means comprising a stationary clipper located on each side of the path of said travelling 'support and adapted to shear projecting ends from the surface of the fabric on the form, a pivoted stripping device adapted to engage the article on the support during a portion of its travel, means for rotating said stripping deviceand engaged article about its pivot at a relatively greater speed than that, of said support, and means for releasing said engaged hose fromthe stripping device after removal. l

10. In a shearing machine comprising a plurality of thin wide supports for articles to be sheared mounted for rotation in a circular path with the wide faces travelling in vertical planes normal tothe axis of rotation, means for stripping the sheared articles from the supports comprising a pivoted framework, said framework having a clamp on the free end thereof, means for presenting a support with an article thereon 'to said clamp, and means for rotating said framework and the clamped article above the pivot at a relatively greater speed than that of the support, whereby the article will be removed therefrom.

11. In a shearing machine comprising a plurality of thin wide supports for articles to be sheared mounted for rotation in a circular path with the wide faces travelling in vertical planes normal. to. .theaxis of rotation, means for stripping the sheared article from the supports comprising a pivoted framework, said framework having a clamp on the free end thereof, means for successively presenting supports and their respective 7, articles to said clamp, means for rotating said framework and the clamped article about the. pivot each time a support is presented at a relatively greater speed than that of the :support, whereby the article will be removed from its support, means for releasing the removedihose from the clamp and means for rotating said framework in a reverse direction to .a position where the clamp will engage the nextsucceeding article on its respective form.

ROBERT O. HUFFMAN. GALESW. SHUFORD. BEELER F. CHILDERS. 

